Phillip E. Cotrel, Jr. (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Phillip Edward Cotrel, Jr., son of Phillip Edward Cotrel, Sr. and Leta Maniza Watterson Cotrel, was born February 3, 1936, in Pekin, Illinois. He departed this life Tuesday, January 13, 2015, in Mercy Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of seventy-eight years, eleven months, and ten days.
On December 16, 1968, he was united in marriage to Maddalena Sanfelici, and to this union one son was born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Maddalena, on December 13, 2008; five brothers, Sherman, Stephen, Bobby Ray, Victor, and Joe; and a sister, Bonnie.
Phillip is survived by a son, Eddie Cotrel, of Falcon, Missouri; three brothers, John Henry, and his wife, Mary, Dewayne Cotrel, and Darrell Cotrel, all of the State of Michigan; a sister, Eunie, of the State of Michigan; several nieces and nephews; a number of cousins; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born in Illinois and was raised in various places where his father was working at the time. He entered the military as a young man and served his country faithfully in the United States Army from May 12, 1958 until June 30, 1978. Phillip was stationed in Germany, Italy, where he met Maddalena, Vietnam, Korea, and in Michigan, and at Fort Campbell, Kentucky during his years of service. He earned the Valorous Unit Award and the Vietnam Service Medal with two Campaign Stars for his service during the Vietnam War. He retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant after serving twenty years in the Army. After retiring, he and Maddalena made their home in Blue Springs, Missouri for a while before moving to Falcon, Missouri, where they purchased a farm in 1982. Phillip and Eddie operated the farm together for the last several years.
Phillip was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and A.A.R.P. He enjoyed visiting with his family and friends, and liked going shopping with Nancy. He had a very caring heart, and was always willing and ready to help anyone in need. He especially enjoyed the little children in the family and always had candy and ice cream for them.
Phillip was a loving father, brother, uncle, cousin, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his seventy-eight years.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Home Cemetery and left at the funeral home.
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